Cessna 180 accident near Thermal, California, July 13, 1996
On July 13, 1996 at about 11:21 pm local time, a Cessna 180, registered N4740B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Thermal, California (Thermal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 13, 1996 · about 11:21 pm local time
- Place
- Thermal, California · Thermal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 180 · all 180s on the register
- Registration
- N4740B · registry record · serial 31638
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while inbound to the airport he attempted to contact the CTAF for an airport advisory but could not raise anyone on the frequency. He then monitored the ATIS from a nearby airport and selected runway 35 on that basis. As he entered the traffic pattern he observed the windsock indicating an east wind about the speed he obtained from the ATIS and configured the aircraft for a crosswind landing. The pilot said the touchdown on the main wheels and the subsequent ground roll was uneventful until he lowered the tail. Just after lowering the tailwheel to the ground a gust of wind from the east pushed the tail to the left. The pilot said he was unable to regain directional control with either rudder or brake application and the aircraft ground looped to the right, collapsing the left main landing gear and bending the left wing.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,747 hours in all; 39 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 2,551 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,977 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 4, 1996; 39 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: POC Laverne CA at 10:00 pm
- Destination: TRM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 6,799 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 106°F (41°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:47 pm from TRM
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.